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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #66850

Title: RESPONSES OF PLANT ASSEMBLAGES TO DISTURBANCE GRADIENTS IN THE NORTHERN CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

Author
item DE SOYZA, AMRITA - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item VAN ZEE, JUSTIN - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item WHITFORD, WALTER - US-EPA
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff

Submitted to: British Ecological Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/1995
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: At three locations in the Chihuahuan desert domestic livestock-induced disturbance gradients extend outward from watering points. Soil is more compacted but less stable near the watering points. Plant species-richness changes little along the gradient, but species diversity and plant biomass does increase dramatically with distance from the watering point.